215/45R18 vs 255/40R18
255/40R18 is taller than 215/45R18 by 1.61% — a diameter difference of 0.41″.
What changes between 215/45R18 and 255/40R18
Switching from 215/45R18 to 255/40R18 changes overall diameter by +1.61%, a taller tire by 0.41 inches. This lands inside the ±3% fitment safe zone, so most vehicles will accept the swap without rubbing, speedometer recalibration, or ABS/TPMS complications. Section width moves by +1.58″ (215mm → 255mm), which affects contact patch and fender-well clearance. Sidewall height shifts by +0.21″: a taller sidewall softens ride quality and adds off-road bump protection, with some loss of steering crispness. Revs per mile moves by -12, which translates directly to speedometer error — at an indicated 65 mph, actual speed becomes 66.0 mph. Both sizes share the same 18″ rim, so no wheel change is required — this is a pure tire-only swap.
| Spec | 215/45R18 | 255/40R18 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 25.62″ | 26.03″ |
| Section width | 8.46″ (215 mm) | 10.04″ (255 mm) |
| Sidewall height | 3.81″ (45%) | 4.02″ (40%) |
| Rim diameter | 18″ | 18″ |
| Circumference | 80.48″ | 81.78″ |
| Revs per mile | 787 | 775 |
Interactive comparison
275/65R18 or "33" for inch aliases215/45R18
- Diameter
- 25.62″ / 650.7mm
- Section Width
- 8.46″
- Sidewall
- 3.81″ / 96.75mm
- Circumference
- 80.48″
- Revs/Mile
- 787
255/40R18
- Diameter
- 26.03″ / 661.2mm
- Section Width
- 10.04″
- Sidewall
- 4.02″ / 102mm
- Circumference
- 81.78″
- Revs/Mile
- 775
Speedometer & Diameter Impact
Wider tire — verify wheel widthAt an indicated 60 mph, your actual speed is 60.97 mph (98.12 km/h). Your speedometer reads 1.61% low versus actual speed.